Back to all words

Raita

3 stages from Sanskrit to English.

Today it means A cooling South Asian side dish of yogurt mixed with vegetables, fruit, or spices.

Where does the word "raita" come from? It comes from Sanskrit rajika, passing through Hindi before entering English (1832).

1
Stage 1 of 3
rajika
Sanskrit · ancient
"mustard seed"
meant 'black mustard seed'
2
Stage 2 of 3
raita
Hindi · medieval
"a spiced yogurt side dish"
named a yogurt side dish flavored with mustard and spices
3
Stage 3 of 3
raita
English · 1832
"a cooling yogurt dish mixed with vegetables or fruit"
British writers on Indian food adopted the word
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom